Housing benefit & council tax benefit officer wants to visit us at home ???

lookingforwork2

Hello, a letter from the council plopped on the mat this morning (amongst all the overdue bills) They want to send someone around to the house to

....."verify you are recieving the correct entitlement to benefit"

The letter goes on to say

....."during the visit you will need to provide proof of all income/capital i.e payslips, tax credit letter, bank statements, building society books etc, along with any further proof necessary to confirm the details relevent to your claim."

When we first applied 3 months ago, we had to provide proof of income and capital and took it all into the council offices for them to photocopy. Im wondering why they want to see it all again? I feel a bit harrassed.

Has anyone else had a home-visit by the benefits and revenue department at the council?

dmg24

It sounds like it is just a random visit, quite common and nothing to worry about. You are lucky, they often just turn up on your doorstep!

Perr

yes I have had one of these visits they are normal and they do them every so often dont worry you wont be the only one.

munchings-n-crunchings

Hello,

I've had about 5 visits in the last 4 years.

The officer normally brings a blank renewal form, and then fills it in with me.
It's a lot less stressful than filling the form in on your own.
It is useful to have your last 3 months bank statements, pay slips etc ready, or you will be given a month to provide them.

I was only notified once in advance of the visit, the other times they have just knocked at the door, I don't mind too much. But it is an opportunity to catch people out.

Just be organised.

Munchie

anguk

We used to get the benefit officer coming to our house about once a year, we'd always get a letter first to say he was coming. He would just check that our circumstances hadn't changed and take a photo of awards letters, rent agreement and our bank statement.

This year nobody bothered to come out they just rang up instead to check our circumstances hadn't changed.

SomeBozo

Im wondering why they want to see it all again? I feel a bit harrassed.

The state is paying for the roof over your head, removing you from the requirement of paying council tax and providing you with a modest income.

Thats their side of the bargain.

Your side is to ensure that all your documents, eligibility and information is up to date.

Its a small return to make considering what you are getting. You never know, they might find you eligible for more help. Only people with something to hide needs to feel "harrassed".

Bozo

Birdbrain_2

I just received one of these letters and now I'm frantic with worry.

I am on incapcity benefit for anxiety and depression, and recently did 3 months permitted work (therapeutic earnings) My last payment was at the end of April. At the time I submitted a PW1 Permitted work form. I did not realise until I made some enquiries about the upcoming visit that I should have notified the housing benefit people of this, separate of the PW1, I thought all the benefits people shared this information.

Now I very much afraid that I will have to pay back 3 months housing and council tax, which I can't possibly do, or worse that I will be prosecuted for benefit fraud.

If anyone has any insight, I would greatly appreciate it.

a_imteaz

hi all, just had an officer visiting my girlfriend at 6 am, is that possible and why would they do that??? had anyone experienced this before

Icey

a_imteaz wrote: »

hi all, just had an officer visiting my girlfriend at 6 am, is that possible and why would they do that??? had anyone experienced this before

What reason did they give for going to her door at that time?

mealone

The biggest fraud commited in our country is people claiming to be single, on benefits and living with a partner who either works or claims benefit as a single person.

Its not just IS/IB/JSA they are defrauding but HB/LHA and ctb, and I for one think that more needs to be done to detect this fraud and prosecute all offenders.

Its good to hear that surprise and scheduled home visits are being carried out, I am not suggesting that the OP is commiting fraud but others have posted here asking about it.

shjo558

These are just routine visits by benefit officers - they are not fraud officers so don't worry. The DWP select a number of cases every month and the council have to visit just to make sure everything is still the same or, if you have had a change in circumstances, they will note it and arrange for your claim to be updated. The majority of new HB/CTB claimants will receive a visit within 3 months.

They are also trained to advise on other aspects of the Welfare State so will also let you know if there could be other help to which you may be entitled.